1 TOUCHDOWN FUND AND AMANI TOOMER SCORE BIG AT NEW YORK GIANTS KICKOFF LUNCHEON The Touchdown Fund: Score for Kids, Cardiac & Cancer and former New York Giants star receiver Amani Toomer received well-deserved recognition at the recent New York Giants Kickoff Luncheon at the Gridiron Club at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford. Mr. Toomer was named the team's Alumni Player of the Year not only for his performance on the field, but off the field as well. He has been very active in both national and international community activities, including his work supporting Operation Smile, an organization that provides reconstructive surgery for children in developing nations. He is currently training for the 2010 New York Marathon where his participation will help raise money for youth programs in New York. The Touchdown Fund: Score for Kids, Cardiac & Cancer was also a winner, receiving all proceeds from the kickoff luncheon and a raffle for a Super Bowl travel package. The Touchdown Fund is a charitable partnership between the New York Giants, the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital, the Heart & Vascular Hospital, and the John Theurer Cancer Center at HUMC. While Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin fired up the crowd with his predictions for an exciting year of football in the New Meadowlands Stadium, Bob Garrett, President and 2 CEO of Hackensack University Medical Center, shared his thoughts on the unique relationship that the medical center shares with the New York Giants. "The hospital's relationship with the New York Giants goes all the way back to the 1980s when players began visiting children being treated at the Tomorrows Children's Institute at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at HUMC. That relationship has grown through the years, most notably with the establishment of the Touchdown Fund. HUMC is extremely proud to be partners with one of the greatest organizations in the world," said Garrett. Joseph Simunovich, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation, is also proud of the partnership between the hospital and the Giants. "With seven championships and a Super Bowl win following the 2007 season, the New York Giants are among the preeminent sports franchises in the world. Likewise, HUMC was named 'one of America's 50 best hospitals' in 2010 by Healthgrades, a leading independent healthcare ratings organization. The partnering of HUMC and the Giants creates one formidable team ready to tackle the ongoing fight against illnesses related to children, heart and vascular diseases, and cancer." Following the luncheon, Bob Torre, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation, also spoke of the unique relationship between the New York Giants and HUMC. "The Touchdown Fund is an exclusive charitable partnership, a first of its kind for the New York Giants, which raises 3 funds for the HUMC Foundation. Our goal – similar to the Giants -- is to have another record breaking year. We are proud of this partnership and together we will achieve wonderful things. As Amani Toomer said in his acceptance speech earlier today, it's all about teamwork.” By becoming a part of the Touchdown Fund, benefactors will have the satisfaction of knowing their donations advance one of the nation’s most comprehensive and progressive medical centers. Touchdown Fund members will enjoy exclusive access to the New York Giants, unique membership benefits, and recognition at the TIMEX Performance Center, the official day-to-day home of the Giants. For more information on membership in the Touchdown Fund, please contact the HUMC Foundation Office at 201-996-3720. .